Grateful DeadGrateful Dead Live at Robert F. Kennedy Stadium on 1995-06-25 (June 25, 1995)

This audio is available in streaming format

Collection: GratefulDead
Band/Artist: Grateful Dead
Date: June 25, 1995 (check for other copies)
Venue: Robert F. Kennedy Stadium
Location: Washington, DC

Source: DSBD> DAT> CDR> EAC> shn
Transferred by: Bill Bina
Keywords: Live concert

Description

Shakedown Street, Wang Dang Doodle, Jack A Roe, Mama Tried*-> Mexicali Blues*, Loose Lucy, Picasso Moon Box Of Rain, Rain, Samson & Delilah, Ship of Fools, Truckin'-> Rollin' & Tumblin'-> Samba In The Rain-> Drums-> Space-> Wharf Rat-> Not Fade Away, E: Brokedown Palace

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Reviewer: elsha - - July 20, 2008
Subject: My last show....

Yes its true the end was near. I loved these RFK "90"s shows though. Still this show has some moments. The Shakedown opener is played confidently. Bob especially does some great work here. The Jack-a-roe blazes irregardless of what year it was. Its one of the more faster paced versions I have seen and it holds up here. Mama Tried also carries this momentum as this version cooks. Loose Lucy is strong and punchy and the Picasso Moon set ender really smokes. The band sounds tight even if all the voices are not quite what they once were. This Picasso Moon is a great version especially considering its "95". However the energy for the second set dipped a bit from the first set. Despite this Phil does an admirable job on Box of Rain with good playing behind him. Truckin picked up the energy and is a decent version with Bob spitting on the first row. I don't care for Samba and would have preferred anything else going into Drums. Wharf Rat meanders a bit as Garcia gets his legs but it holds together for a decent version. Brokedown is fitting since the Dead would never play here again.

Reviewer: creampuffwarrior3 - - April 3, 2008
Subject: stop complaining

im not reviewing this show but for everyone complaining out there about some of these 1995 shows i have to say im not as experienced in the grateful dead as you all are but any dead is better than no dead so sit down listen and dont complain 4 and a half this show deserves in my honest opinion

Reviewer: btownsparky - - January 2, 2008
Subject: You gotta dig

Picasso moon is a trainwreck because it is designed that way. Look at picasso's so-called art. Defined musically by the dead, they juxtapose a steady, droning, drumbeat, often screaming and contradictory lyrics, fill-in guitar leads that rarely follow any time signature, dueling keyboard sounds that are inharmonious, in short, Picasso defined in sound. Possibly musical genius, more likely cacophony. Take it for what you will.
BTW- Shakedown is not too bad. Loose Lucy sounds good to me. Box of Rain is standard. Rain, to me, is miscast as a GD song, therby sucking. Wharf Rat is good is your in the mood. Nice and soulful. Like any later-day dead show, you gotta dig for the good stuff.

Reviewer: swamprabbit - - January 2, 2008
Subject: Good Summer 95 Show

This was a solid show during a very uneven summer East Coast Tour. The best part of the evening occured before the Dead even took the stage. Dylan performed an awesome set and capped it off by inviting Garcia to join in for the encores. Garcia provides some great fills and really seemed to be enjoying himself - even flashing Dylan a thumbs up at the end of the performance. As far as the Dead go, first set is well-played and energetic. Some have criticized the opening Shakedown but I kind of like it. Its no 6/30/85 but Garcia manages to pull together a slow, shuffling groove that leads to some nice places. I wasn't very impressed with the song selection in the pre-drums section of Set Two - but there are some good versions of the songs that are played. Show ends strong with beautiful renditions of Wharf Rat and Brokedown. Unfortunately, one of my former roommates was killed following the show (he was driving the van involved in the accident mentioned below - see "Mystery of Jason and the Carolines.") The encore subsequently took on a whole new meaning.

Reviewer: Cnick - - October 23, 2007
Subject: Why the Hatred and Judgement

Why r there so many haters out there? The Dead were what you made of them. I was just glad they made to my hometown to party one more time. They were the first ones to do what they did and they showed up a lot when they could have cancelled. A lot of people seem to want it their way and only that way. I remember my first trip to Cal Expo and Shoreline and my crew was talking about how they hated all the Brent stuff and how the coast was cheesy because the shows were not as fiery as they were in the east. I was just glad to be waking up in Half Moon Bay and getting to go to a party every day. I don't think the Dead judged us, so why should we gauge them when everyday was a different day?

Reviewer: jdre79 - - June 14, 2007
Subject: My last show....

I was completely satisfied with the show when it was over that night, and I'm still completely satisfied with it today. Great set list and great atmosphere!

Reviewer: Ray Sachs - - March 18, 2007
Subject: Not bad, but only relative to other '95

My last show, after starting in '77. This was not a good show. But the night before was so incredibly god-awful that this one was pretty good in comparison. Jerry looked like death the night before - totally un-engaged, just staring at the floor and barely going through the motions.

For this one, he was out in the wings of the stage enjoying Dylan's set and he seemed engaged in the music for the whole show. His playing had deteriorated pretty badly by then, but he at least had some spirit going for this show and was TRYING to play. Smiled a fair amount even. Seemed to be enjoying playing with Bruce again. No real specific comments - I just remember feeling slightly optimistic during and after this show after feeling like it was ALL over the night before. The Brokeback was a typically moving encore and a fitting last moment with the boyz.

Reviewer: BornXEyed - - November 20, 2006
Subject: A Nostalgic Show

Writing about this show some 11 years after it took place is sort of weird, but also fulfilling. I attended this performance. It was my first and last show.

I was 16 and had been "into" the Dead's music for quite some time-mostly via my mother's albums. At age 15 I probably really kicked into Dead mode, listening to as many albums as I could purchase possible.

Then I had my first opportunity to see the Dead. And I jumped on the chance along with two very good friends. The parking lot was amazing-a far cry from the scene of Redskins games that I went to every year since age 5. I remember a U-Haul truck with the back door slid open and the back being filled with huge nitrous tanks. There was one truck with a makeshift hot tub in the back and people partying. And of course there was topless chick's running about.

The show itself was odd for me. I didn't have the band's catalogue memorized by then, so I only heard familiarity in songs, but not a note-for-note, lyric-by-lyric understanding. "Shakedown" had me guessing "when will they play the next song? This is going on forever." But we didn't care, it was so much fun. "Box of Rain" was a fave tune of mine, so that was nice, as well as the Beatle's "Rain." "Space/Drumz" was a mindfuck--we really didn't know what was going on then. And of course we thought it was the greatest when everybody was clapping and singing "Not Fade Away" after the band left the stage.

Within a week, I had the show tapes in my hand--my first Dead tapes. It was the start of something big in my life. And then the news hit just over one month later. Absolutely devastating.

But I'll always listen back on this show as something very powerful and special--at least to me.

Now, armed with a loyality to the Dead's legacy and music that has spanned some 12 years, I think I can dish out a rating on this show. 3 stars: one for the playing, one for the crisp board, one for the fun of it all.

Reviewer: JerryInaPouch - - September 28, 2006
Subject: Alright children, let's talk shakedown

OK WHY the five stars you ask? (I know you're asking).... I'll tell you: Shakedown. Some have called this the WORST shakedown ever... how? It contains Jerr's "soul" (asw heroin-ated as it may be,) but the first few notes CRUNCH the sadness and LOWness that made up the Grateful Dead for almost three decades. ANYWAY, LISTEN again and HEAR the HEROIN...er....I mean... Jerry's sadness and suffering and SOUL take over.

Reviewer: jhender501 - - September 20, 2006
Subject: Not a bad first set

But..agree re: Picasso Moon...yeesh. I have to admit I've skipped through a lot of Sambas..just now listening..man, this song while not bad musically, sure didn't fit the Grateful Dead we all know and love.

Loved hearing Weir very clearly on this show..

Jim

Reviewer: dreece - - September 20, 2006
Subject: Shadow in the alley turned out all my lights...

Finally got around to bringing myself to listen to this show from start to finish this weekend. I've been listening to it a "little bit here and little bit there" for years, but never in its entirety- "Picasso Moon" was a quite painful. I remember screaming at the show, "Oh, NO!! NO!! NO!!" and I relived that moment again when it came roaring through my speakers... it's a wonder it didn't tear them apart. My God. Ugh, what the Hell was Bobby thinking?! Anything but that... anything. If you were there, it was a killer, and you know damn well it was a killer.
Sadly, my very last show... ever. I hate that, God, how I hate that. RFK was always without a doubt one of the better venues on the East Coast, and yes is was "a real good time" like always... Dylan; Dylan & Jerry; the Dancin' teaser during Shakedown (yeah, I heard it, too); Loose Lucy (my all time favorite... still makes me smile); Box of Rain; and sadly, the final Wharf Rat. "Smacker" of a show, so-to-speak. Read some of the "reviews" below... they were there, they know all too well.
I highly recommend this... probably one of the better shows of all 1995. Just watch out for that Picasso Moon... it'll make you just cringe, I promise. That's what Bobby should have closed the first set with was Promised Land, but no... it had to be Picasso f*#@ing Moon.
Glad to have been there... still couldn't beat 3/18 in Philly. For me, that was it, and for one reason, and one reason only- I'm still in complete disbelief that I actually got to see Jerry play "Visions of Johanna"... what was it, twice in 1986? That should have been the "talk of the tour," but Unbroken Chain stole all the glory. I was there on 3/19 for that "monumental event" as well, but I still go and on about "Visions" the previous night to this day. Just simply incredible.. holy cow.

Reviewer: deadedde - - July 18, 2006
Subject: The last ever RFK show not memorable? Hey now!

I saw an fair number of shows over two decades and this is the only time they played Box of Rain.

Reviewer: BeckyL - - May 26, 2006
Subject: Mystery of Jason and the Carolines

Hello, You may be able to solve a mystery. A young man attended this show and was killed in an auto accident the next day. To this day he remains unidentified and his loved ones have NOT been notified of what ever happend to him! There was a cryptic clue of a note in his pocket: "To Jason, Sorry we had to go. See you around. Caroline O. and Caroline T." Do you know who he or the Carolines are??? Thanks for helping!!! Here is a link for more info: http://www.doenetwork.us/cases/127umva.html

Reviewer: Dub Irie - - January 14, 2006
Subject: Not quite June 1973

Amazing how far the Dead had come since the epic recording of the June 10, 1973 show. The fact that they were there was the thing to celebrate. Nostalgic recording of the last version of Wharf Rat. Good audio.

Reviewer: seedanrun - - August 22, 2005
Subject: Actually pretty good

No, this is not prime Dead. But, they are playing with a purpose (or so it sounds), Jerry sounds a lot better than he did in, say, 83-86, and the rest of the band is in decent form.

Not essential, but if you're sampling latter-day Dead, this show far outstripped my expectations.

Reviewer: ZoXo - - June 23, 2005
Subject: Remember Dylan?

I can agree with most of the posts here, not much of a memorable show but still a good time. My memory of this one is Bob Dylan opening. WOW!! He blew me away!! It would be nice to hear that end of this day. I also remember the lawn being very crowded and people were quite pushy, not the usual friendly atmosphere, so a bunch of us decided to head to the seats. Although I didn't know it at the time, this marked for me the beginning of the end.

Reviewer: AilleCat - - June 14, 2005
Subject: Fun show....

Honestly, this is a great show...

To me, its history, the RFK show, I was there, I felt like I *had* to go, for whatever reason, I hopped in the car earlier in the day, ran into some old friends on the grounds, and loved the show.

The last show I went to, its nostalgic, and so many classics played at this show, it was almost a wish-list of a set.

Reviewer: ElaineMG - - May 18, 2005
Subject: Love RFK

Always loved RFK shows dancing in the sweltering heat and humidity of DC surrounded by great people and good tunes, not to mention one of the best drum circles in the lot under the bridge.
Might not have been the best show i attened but I had a blast and remember this show fondly.

Reviewer: revolutionaryhamstrung - - April 13, 2005
Subject: This show sucked

dont bother downloading. my last show and a depressing experience. Jerry looked and sounded awful and his guitar was turned down low.

Reviewer: dmilks - - April 11, 2005
Subject: the difference

You can really hear a vast difference in the way Bruce and Jerry don't play off eachother very much this night as compared to 91 thru spring 92, when Bruce was a more or less full-time member. Despite that, and despite the fact that it's not a very good show, it's probably one of the better 95 shows. Does anyone remember Jerry's demeanor onstage this night? Was he visually communicating with the Band or Bruce, or was he standing stock still, staring at the ground? This is one of the tell-tale clues as to whether he was using on this tour, and as well, will explain a lot about his lack of interplay with others, his interest in the music or lack thereof, his moods, his interaction with the rest of the band, his inability to remember lyrics, etc. As well, Jerry at this point had acquired some pretty serious Carpel Tunnel in his hands, and according to Hornsby, he really wasn't practicing much guitar anymore at this point. Check out Blair Jackson's book on Garcia entitled "Garcia: An American Life". It is really well written and incredibly informative. Jerry was one troubled and damaged individual, and IMHO, it is truly miraculous that these guys made it into the 90's at all. Boy, am I glad they did.

Reviewer: captain_trip_420 - - February 1, 2005
Subject: Lightning Strikes

I believe this is the show in which 3 heads got struck by lightning.

Reviewer: Trannyman - - January 31, 2005
Subject: Lots of fun

Hey, good ol'e fun 95 show if you ask me. Saw my last show in Summer 94 and I've only just been exploring the 95 tour Spring and Summer. More often than not, I think these shows are great. This RFK night is great too, wish I was there.

Reviewer: indianahead - - January 17, 2005
Subject: dancin in the streets

I heard it! I got goosebumps when I read that. I thought we were getting a '70's dancin' jam, and sure enough it was almost there. Just as a side note, I ended up on the videotron during shakedown, selling t-shirts in the lot - made a chaotic tour almost worth it.

Reviewer: Zwyts - - September 17, 2004
Subject: Top 5 of the year

My last Dead show.

Quite good for 1995. This was one of the ones that gave us hope for the future. 1st set is solid throughout. Very nice solos by Jerry in Jack-a-roe, Mama>Mexicali and Lucy. Second set was up and down but more up than down. Very solid Ship of Fools. Wharf Rat-NFA was excellent. Brokedown, one of the best of the 90's with crisp vocals by Jerry and a confident solo.

Reviewer: Harold of the Rocks - - August 4, 2004
Subject: 129 of 129

This was my last show. It was 129 of 129. After this show, I promised my wife we were done and we never see the band again. Philly 95 combined with these shows convinced me there wasn't much left to work with.

The previous reviewers are pretty generous. While this was the better of the 2 RFK shows, it was still awful. Has to be the worst Shakedown ever and I didn't notice the show getting a whole lot better after that.

Fall Tour tickets went on sale and it was the first time I didn't mail order for tickets in over 10 years. I guess it didn't matter, anyway.

Reviewer: johnnyg3 - - July 24, 2004
Subject: RFK the last

Highlights were the Shakedown jam and Wharf Rat.
Brokedown was solid. Loose Lucy was drippy. I have alot of emotion about this year not unilke the rest of deadworld. But the RFK run (if you call 2 shows a run) was very memorable.

Reviewer: Garavuso - - July 19, 2004
Subject: Redemption for Jerry

If anyone was at the Meadowlands show the week before, you'll know what I mean. He wrecked Wharf Rat at that one, perhaps prompting them to throw us the proverbial bone of Lucy in the Sky that night. On the 25th, however, he nailed it, and I was blissful.
I wanted Bruce to completely push them into Dancing in the Streets (even though I despise the song) during Shakedown - listen to the jam and tell me you don't hear it.
the Rain-Run to start the second set was pretty cool, and I thoroughly enjoyed my first Ship of Fools, spotty as it was. Damn, I even liked Samba that night.
Plus, the Jerry/Dylan pairing at the end of Dylan's set was great - I think they did Train to Cry, and Rainy day Women.
Anyway, it's probably the 2nd best show of the year, after 3/18/95. Enjoy

Reviewer: delavagus - - July 6, 2004
Subject: Disc 3

Yup, this comes near the end of the road and you can hear it. But "Wharf Rat" is great, and "Brokedown Palace" is just beautiful.

Reviewer: greenrooster - - June 25, 2004
Subject: Mixed emotions

This was the last show I attended, so I have mixed emotions. Jerry was weak and mostly absent from the first set (whoever sang Box of Rain was awful), but picked it up in the second. Nice version of Wharf Rat, and the Brokedown Palace encore is poignant and moving in many ways. Phil and Bruce were excellent throughout.

Recording is very clean, but some cuts are a bit sharp.

Reviewer: Imercator - - June 6, 2004
Subject: Not bad at all!

Shakeddwn Street is pretty shakey but after that the band find thier feet and give a good solid show. Even Jerry is playing relatively well for 1995. He is still not as prominent in his playing as previous years, but there is a very minimum of dud notes and lyric flubs (if any), making this show very listenable. Bruce Hornsby adding a nice feel to the show, even though he is not too loud in the mix. Sound quality is pretty good, though there is a little static here and there. Tiny bits mind you, and nothing to worry about. Go for it!

Reviewer: chinobrown - - May 20, 2004
Subject: Ahh...

Even with Bruce on piano, show is mediocre but above par for 1995 (most are two star performances). Sound quality is somewhat flat and playing is pretty uninspired.

Notes

DSBD> DAT> CDR> EAC> shn; EAC>SHN by Bill Bina; etreed by Tony Gardner
With Bruce Hornsby on piano for the entire show